A Lowhill Township man accused of dragging his wife down to their basement, using zip ties to bind her to a beam and beating her to death gave up his right to a preliminary hearing Thursday.

James F. Albright allegedly kicked Carol M. Albright at least three times, twice in the back and once in the stomach, causing internal bleeding April 10, state police at Fogelsville said. She was taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, where she died early the next day.

State police said James Albright became upset when his wife refused to go to an alcohol rehabilitation center. He told police he "lost it" when his wife cursed at him, authorities said.

Albright, 55, was shackled at the waist Thursday morning as he was led to Lehigh County Court. He only spoke to his attorney, James Heidecker, as he signed papers to waive his hearing.

As he was led away, his family waved to him. "I love you," cried the Albrights' only daughter.

Heidecker said the family was at the hearing to support James, calling it "a family tragedy."

"They are not here for blood-letting," he said.

According to a criminal complaint:

Several troopers from the Fogelsville barracks went to the Albrights' home at 2:02 p.m. April 10 on a report of a domestic disturbance.

A trooper spoke to Carol Albright, who told them her husband grabbed her by the hair, threw her to the floor and dragged her to the basement. There, he restrained her with zip ties.

While she was tied, her husband kicked her in the stomach and back, she told troopers. A trooper saw bruises to her right wrist and right shoulder. She was taken to the hospital and her husband was initially charged with simple assault and unlawful restraint.

When the hospital's emergency room staff called police back and told them Carol Albright's injuries were life threatening, troopers returned to Lowhill to collect more evidence.

Later, James Albright told a trooper he made arrangements to get his wife into alcohol treatment in Allentown, but she twice refused to go.